CBC boosts Olympic offering through BDU, online licensing deals

CBC/Radio Canada says its coverage of the Sochi Olympics will be “top of menu” for the country’s leading Broadcast Distribution Undertakings (BDUs) – and also available on the leading online video platforms YouTube and MSN.ca – as part of a series of licensing deals. The public broadcaster has struck licensing deals with multiple digital content […]

Chris Powell
February 06, 2014

CBC/Radio Canada says its coverage of the Sochi Olympics will be “top of menu” for the country’s leading Broadcast Distribution Undertakings (BDUs) – and also available on the leading online video platforms YouTube and MSN.ca – as part of a series of licensing deals.

The public broadcaster has struck licensing deals with multiple digital content providers, including Bell Canada, Rogers Communications, Telus Optik TV and Vidéotron, that will see content available for both on-the-go and on-demand viewing.

Bell customers, for example, will be able to access CBC’s Olympic coverage on-demand and on-the-go through the Bell TV app. Bell TV subscribers also have access to on-demand coverage, as well as highlights and replays, with Bell TV Online and Bell Fibe TV.

Rogers customers will be able to stream live CBC coverage of the Games on their computer, tablet and smartphone with Rogers Anyplace TV. Rogers On Demand will also house replays and highlights, including the opening and closing ceremonies.

In addition to a multi-screen experience, subscribers to the Telus Optik TV service will also have live access to CBC/Radio-Canada’s raw feeds, offering live HD coverage of multiple sports taking place at different venues simultaneously.

Vidéotron will also offer live and on-demand viewing through its Illico service. Customers will be able to access more than 300 hours of on-demand content in both official languages.

The public broadcaster has also secured an on-demand content agreement with the Canadian Cable Systems Alliance. The first comprehensive deal with CCSA members means that the best English-language Games coverage will be available on-demand to independent cable operators.

The CBC says that its agreement with YouTube represents just one component of an expanded alliance with the online video leader, which it says will see a “renewal” of its presence on the video platform.

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